David Brook
David Brook
David was affected greatly by his grandfather Arthur's struggle with MND. This, together with a commitment to fitness and fundraising challenges, led David to attempt the Edinburgh Half Marathon.
Method of fundraising
The Edinburgh Half Marathon 2025Why did you decide to fundraise?
David Brook’s commitment to fundraising for the Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research stems from a deeply personal experience. His grandfather, Arthur Brook, passed away from MND. David’s memories of his grandfather, particularly his final moments, have had a lasting impact. He recalls, “The only memory I have of him was when I was about 8 years old. He couldn’t move, could barely swallow, couldn’t talk, and he was crying as I was leaving because he knew, even though I didn’t, that he was never going to see me again.” This profound experience has driven David to raise awareness and funds for MND research in the hope of making a meaningful difference in the lives of others affected by the disease.
In addition to his grandfather's story, David’s broader commitment to challenging himself through fitness and fundraising activities further motivated him. He sees his efforts not only as a way to honour his grandfather’s memory but as a chance to contribute to a future without MND.
In addition to his grandfather's story, David’s broader commitment to challenging himself through fitness and fundraising activities further motivated him. He sees his efforts not only as a way to honour his grandfather’s memory but as a chance to contribute to a future without MND.
How did you raise the money?
David’s fundraising journey has involved a combination of personal challenge and creative fundraising strategies. His most recent effort is through running the Edinburgh Half Marathon, an event that he has participated in before. This year, he set himself an ambitious target of raising £1,000 for the Euan MacDonald Centre, but his ultimate goal is to exceed that amount, aiming to raise as much as possible. In the past, he has taken on various other challenges, including abseiling off buildings, to raise both awareness and funds for MND research.
David’s training for the half marathon has not been without its challenges. Despite injuries such as Achilles tendonitis and a pulled thigh muscle, he remains determined to push through the pain and complete the race. His commitment to staying fit and achieving his target is unwavering. As he says, “I tend to go for my targets. And this is a target that I’ve set. I will run through pain and run through everything, but I won’t walk.” David’s fundraising page, available at www.justgiving.com/page/david-brook-3, is where people can donate to help him in his mission to raise funds for MND research.
David’s training for the half marathon has not been without its challenges. Despite injuries such as Achilles tendonitis and a pulled thigh muscle, he remains determined to push through the pain and complete the race. His commitment to staying fit and achieving his target is unwavering. As he says, “I tend to go for my targets. And this is a target that I’ve set. I will run through pain and run through everything, but I won’t walk.” David’s fundraising page, available at www.justgiving.com/page/david-brook-3, is where people can donate to help him in his mission to raise funds for MND research.
Fundraising wisdom:
David's approach to fundraising is rooted in both determination and a genuine passion for making a difference. Over the years, he has learned valuable lessons about the importance of setting clear goals, staying focused, and using personal challenges to engage others in the cause. His fundraising philosophy can be summarized in a few key points:
1. Set Clear, Achievable Targets: Whether it’s a monetary goal or a personal milestone in a race, having something concrete to aim for gives your efforts direction and keeps you motivated.
2. Don’t Be Afraid to Push Through Challenges: David’s own story of overcoming obstacles, such as injuries, highlights the importance of resilience. He believes in pushing through pain and staying focused on the end goal, whether that’s crossing the finish line or raising the necessary funds for research.
3. Engage People with Your Story: David’s fundraising success is also a result of his ability to connect with others through his personal story. By sharing his experiences and his motivation for supporting MND research, he’s able to inspire others to contribute to the cause.
4. Use Every Opportunity to Fundraise: From marathons to abseiling, David understands that fundraising is not limited to one-off events. By continuously challenging himself, he keeps his efforts in the spotlight and motivates others to take part.
David's unwavering commitment to his cause, coupled with his fundraising creativity, showcases how a personal connection to a cause can fuel long-lasting and impactful efforts. Through his actions, David has shown that fundraising is not just about raising money—it’s about creating awareness, building community support, and inspiring others to make a difference.
1. Set Clear, Achievable Targets: Whether it’s a monetary goal or a personal milestone in a race, having something concrete to aim for gives your efforts direction and keeps you motivated.
2. Don’t Be Afraid to Push Through Challenges: David’s own story of overcoming obstacles, such as injuries, highlights the importance of resilience. He believes in pushing through pain and staying focused on the end goal, whether that’s crossing the finish line or raising the necessary funds for research.
3. Engage People with Your Story: David’s fundraising success is also a result of his ability to connect with others through his personal story. By sharing his experiences and his motivation for supporting MND research, he’s able to inspire others to contribute to the cause.
4. Use Every Opportunity to Fundraise: From marathons to abseiling, David understands that fundraising is not limited to one-off events. By continuously challenging himself, he keeps his efforts in the spotlight and motivates others to take part.
David's unwavering commitment to his cause, coupled with his fundraising creativity, showcases how a personal connection to a cause can fuel long-lasting and impactful efforts. Through his actions, David has shown that fundraising is not just about raising money—it’s about creating awareness, building community support, and inspiring others to make a difference.
